Results 541-560 of 4,255 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies (13 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 926 to 929, inclusive, and 933 together. Non-Governmental Organisations do not operate under the aegis of my Department. However, my Department provides funding to a number of Non-Governmental Bodies which support the State’s objectives and provide services to sectors relevant to my Department ‘s area of operation. For example, my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Funding (13 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 930 to 932, inclusive, and 934 together. Funding from my Department is provided in line with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform Circular numbered 13 of 2014 entitled 'Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds'. In line with this circular, funding is provided based on vouched expenditure and only after...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (13 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: Currently, my Department has no plans to introduce mandatory dipping for sheep. Farmers participating in the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) can opt to complete a voluntary plunge dipping action for the control of external parasites in their flocks. The payment rate for this option is €5 per breeding ewe and if undertaken in conjunction with two mandatory actions would...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Laboratories (13 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Departments network of Regional Veterinary Laboratories provides critical surveillance and diagnostic animal health services that underpin herd health management and supports the viability of the farming community in Ireland. My Department has proposals to deliver new facilities that will replace the existing facilities on the current sites in both Kilkenny and Sligo and to enhance the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies (13 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 937, 939 and 940 together. I would like to advise the Deputy that from the list included, only the National Milk Agency, Coillte and Bord Iascaigh Mhara are State Bodies under the remit of my Department. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has 13 agencies in total, 4 commercial state boards and 9 non-commercial boards with appointments...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies (13 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The details requested by the Deputy in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department (the National Milk Agency, Coillte and Bord Iascaigh Mhara) are a matter for the individual bodies. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the State bodies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days. Neither the State Laboratory nor Horse Sport Ireland are state agencies...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (13 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: Farmers and agricultural practices are critical in conserving and restoring biodiversity. My Department is supporting farmers in taking action on biodiversity across many fronts. On a national scale, our flag-ship Agri-environment scheme, ACRES supports 55,000 farmers in taking action on the environment and in particular in respect of Bio-diversity. Approximately 20,000 farmers...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (13 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department has issued 11 felling licences, in 45 days or less, from applications received since 1st January 2025 . As per the Farmers Charter, felling licences should be processed within 6 months or 26 weeks for screened-out applications (those not subject to Appropriate Assessment) and within 9 months or 39 weeks for screened-in applications (those subject to Appropriate Assessment)....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (13 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The person named submitted an application under the ACRES General stream and was approved into Tranche 1 of the scheme, with a commencement date of 01 January 2023. An ACRES inspection took place on the holding on the 31st of October 2024, and notification of the inspection findings issued to the person named by letter dated 24 February 2025. A request to review this decision was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers (13 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority. The relevant local authority in the case of Cé Heilbhic is Waterford City & County Council. As part of the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, my Department provides funding to assist coastal local...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (13 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: It is one of my priorities is to ensure adequate availability and access to long-term investment finance for farmers, including young farmers. My Department works closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Finance and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to provide access to finance supports to small and medium businesses (SMEs) in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Safety (13 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: Farm safety, health and well-being is a priority for this Government. There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to continue to prioritise improvements in farm safety, health and well-being through strengthened supports, with a specific focus in on farmer mental health and well-being. Through dedicated funding of €2.5 million allocated in Budget 2025, my Department will...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (13 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Programme for Government commitment to have a comprehensive strategy to support local and artisan food and drink producers in developing Irish food culture and production is an acknowledgement of the importance of our food producers, particularly our farmers and fishers and the importance of maintaining vibrant rural and coastal communities. Any strategy will need to reflect the range...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Strategies (13 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The implementation of the Bovine TB Eradication Strategy 2021-2030, is overseen by the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum, along with support from three working groups – a Scientific Group, an Implementation Working Group and a Finance Group to ensure all aspects of the Strategy are addressed. The Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum and its working groups comprise of representatives from across the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Data (8 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The information requested will take time to collate and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (8 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: Over the last four years my Department has invested significantly in additional resources to address the increased complexity of licensing applications which has resulted from more stringent environmental requirements. These included investments in additional forestry inspectors, ecologist and administrative staff. We have also implemented changes to our systems and processes on foot of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tree Remediation (8 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The minimum setback distance between newly planted forestry (greater than 0.1 hectares) and dwelling houses is 60 metres. In certain circumstances where the dwelling owner provides written consent this distance can be reduced to 30 metres. My Department checks these minimum setback distances have been included in forestry licence applications and also checks during post-planting inspections...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Data (8 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together. ACRES payments continue to issue on a weekly basis as cases pass all required validation checks. The issues which are impacting on the making of certain payments have been identified and are being worked through. A dedicated team has been put in place to complete the outstanding cases, and resources are being allocated, where...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (8 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The aim of the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme is to provide support to farmers who farm land in areas eligible for the support, following the reclassification of land in the jurisdiction of Ireland undertaken in 2019. These payments are a valuable source of income support for farmers recognising the challenges for those situated in areas of natural and other specific constraints. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Inquiries (8 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department recently received a submission from the association in question. Due consideration will be given to the contents of the document and my Department will liaise directly with the association on the matters raised.